Device for controlling polarization of optical fiber and method of controlling polarization of optical fiber using same

Abstract

A device for controlling polarization of an optical fiber and a method of controlling the polarization of an optical fiber using the same are disclosed herein. The device includes optical fiber supports, an optical fiber holder, and an optical fiber curvature changing unit. The optical fiber supports receive an optical fiber, and support both ends of the optical fiber. The optical fiber holder includes an optical fiber guide element that guides the optical fiber, drawn out of the optical fiber supports, through a path. The optical fiber curvature changing unit is located between the optical fiber and the optical fiber guide element, and changes the curvature of the optical fiber by exerting external force onto the optical fiber.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for controlling polarization of an optical fiber, comprising:
 optical fiber supports configured to receive an optical fiber and support both ends of the optical fiber; 
 an optical fiber holder configured to include an optical fiber guide element that guides the optical fiber, drawn out of the optical fiber supports, through a path; and 
 an optical fiber curvature changing unit located between the optical fiber and the optical fiber guide element, and configured to change a curvature of the optical fiber by exerting external force onto the optical fiber in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the optical fiber, 
 wherein the optical fiber holder has slots intersecting the path of the optical fiber, and 
 the optical fiber curvature changing unit comprises movable members that are inserted into the slots and are movable along shapes of the slots. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber curvature changing unit comprises rods inserted into the optical fiber guide elements and configured to protrude. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber curvature changing unit further comprises:
 connection members configured such that first ends thereof are connected to the movable members, respectively; and 
 a movable member location changing unit connected to second ends of the connection members, and configured to move the movable members by changing locations of the connection members. 
 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber guide element is formed in a circular or elliptical shape. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber holder further comprises rotation pins that connect the optical fiber supports and the optical fiber holder and are rotatable around a support axis of the optical fiber supports. 
     
     
       6. A communication system, comprising:
 a device for controlling polarization of an optical fiber, comprising: 
 optical fiber supports configured to receive an optical fiber and support both ends of the optical fiber; 
 an optical fiber holder configured to include an optical fiber guide element that guides the optical fiber, drawn out of the optical fiber supports, through a path; and 
 an optical fiber curvature changing unit located between the optical fiber and the optical fiber guide element, and configured to change a curvature of the optical fiber by exerting external force onto the optical fiber in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the optical fiber; 
 a transmitter; 
 one or more communication components subjected to suffering from polarization loss; 
 a monitoring device configured to monitor optical output that passes the communication components; and 
 a feedback circuit configured to receive a signal from the monitoring device and control the device for controlling the polarization of an optical fiber based on the signal, 
 wherein the optical fiber holder has slots intersecting the path of the optical fiber, 
 the optical fiber curvature changing unit comprises movable members that are inserted into the slots and are movable along shapes of the slots, and 
 the device for controlling the polarization of an optical fiber organizes types of optical fibers and wavelength ranges in a database, sets a curvature radius and/or a change in a distance of movement as variables, and then performs an operation. 
 
     
     
       7. The communication system of  claim 6 , wherein the optical fiber curvature changing unit further comprises:
 connection members configured such that first ends thereof are connected to the movable members, respectively; and 
 a movable member location changing unit connected to second ends of the connection members, and configured to move the movable members by changing locations of the connection members. 
 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber guide element has a step configured to accommodate the optical fiber. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the optical fiber guide element has a step configured to accommodate the optical fiber.